Austin Travis hit a walk-off, grand slam homer, lifting theBrookhaven Academy Cougars to a thrilling 10-6 Monday night victoryover the visiting Copiah Academy Colonels. It came on an 0-2 pitchfrom senior reliever Casey Hurley. Travis also picked up the moundvictory in relief of Hunter McCullough.

Brookhaven Academy (2-3) snapped a 3-game losing streak with thewin over Copiah (5-3). The Cougars will host McComb ParklaneAcademy Thursday night at 7. In a preliminary game, starting at4:45, Hillcrest Christian plays Parklane.

“We have been in a big-time slump,” said BA coach Casey Edwards.”Austin had a heckuva game.”

Edwards said his defending Class AA state championship team was hithard by graduation. “We have some inexperienced players but we seemto be getting better. We have a bull’s eye on our backs and we faceeverybody’s No. 1 pitcher.”

The Cougars trailed 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh. HunterFranklin and McCullough ignited the rally with back-to-backsingles. Gage Posey delivered an RBI single. Landon Nettles lasheda double to the right-field fence, scoring courtesy runner HeathHickman with the tying run.

Matthew Evans received an intentional walk from Hurley to load thebases, setting the stage for Travis.

McCullough, BA’s starting pitcher, led the Cougar offensive with 4hits, including a double. He gave up a 3-run homer to Copiah’sMitch Little in the fifth as the Colonels claimed a 6-2 lead.

McCullough (6 K, 5 BB) pitched 4.1 innings. Travis (1K, 1 BB)relieved in the fifth and picked up his first win of the season. Healso had 2 hits.

At the plate, Bubba Keene and Will Lucas contributed singles to the12-hit attack.

Copiah, coached by Scooter Prince, took a 2-0 lead in the first ona 2-run single by Hurley. Pitcher Trevor Blocker started on themound and was replaced by Hurley in the sixth.